Middle Childhood - Physical Theology Flashcards
Physical Development (General pgysical development * Nature of the Growth Tempo*)
-Rapid growth of the arms and legs. Bodily proportions change gradually and the child’s body begins to take on a shape similar to that of an adult. Children grpw about 6cm in height per year and gain around 2kg per year diring this phase.
Physical Development General physical development Areas of Development
-Brain
The brain has almost reached its adult size and weight by the end of middle childhood. The development of the frontal lobes (planning&reasoning) and the increased connections in the drontal lobes means that children can master more difficult cognitive tasks.
-Respiratory system
The elasticity of the lungs increase and breathing becomes deeper and slower. The circulatory system develops at a slower rate.
-Teeth
The milk teeth are lost and replaced by permanent teetg. A comditiom lnown as Malocclusion coulf occur when teeth are not properly aligned but this can ve corrected via braces.
-Vision (myopia)
20% of children will have vision problems. The most common problem in middle childhood is myopia, near sightness; distance objects are out of focus for them but they can see objects that are closer to them.
Physical Development General Physical Development * Individual Differences & Gender Differences*
-The growth rate of boys and girls differ, 10-11year old girls increase more in weight and height than compared to boys during this period.
Physical Development General Physical Development Factors that can impact Physical Development
- Race, nationality, socio-economic level. Thus in different parts of the world, there are differences in the average heught amongst children.
Physical Development General Physical Development The Role of Sleep
-Sleep id extremely important for physical development because the growth hormone is secreted during this time.
Physical Development Motor Skills Acquisition and Refinement of a Variety of Psychomotor Skills
-New skills develop because of an increased strength and their coordination, timing and concerntration. They are almost able to achieve the samw skills as adults in certain tasks.
Physical Development Motor Skills Gender Didferences in gross Motor Development
-Boys usually develop more rapidly than girls do. Boys seem to more muscle tissue than girls do.
Physical Development Motor Skills Motor Development and Personality
- On the cognitive level, the acquisition of skills such as writing and playing w musical instrument becomes possible. Children’s social development is enchance by their participation in individual and team sports and they begin to follow rules and cooperate with team members.
Physical Development Sexuality in Middle Childhood General (incorrect) view of Children’s Sexuality
-Freud believed thats this is a perod durning which children show little or no interest in sexuality (latency). Sexual development of children and their interests in sexuality continues uninterruptedly throughout childhood. In middle childhood their sexuality seems to be more undercover and according to Freud they did this inborder to meet social expectations. This view was disregarded!.
Physical Development Sexuality in Middle Childhood Gender Constancy and Sexual Orientation
-By thr end of middle childhood , children usually have a firm and established sense of Gender Identity and Gender Constancy. Many children in this age range become aware of issues rwlated to sexual orientation, thusbthey will learn about different sexualitiqes. They often sgow strong preference for gender-typed clothing and activities during this time too.
Physical Development Sexuality in Middle Childhood Masturbation: Self-soothing Behaviour
-Although in minority, some children in this age range will masterbate occasionally for pleasure as its a self-soothing behaviour that helps them deal with especually emotionallybtaxing situations (such as parental discourse or divorce)
Physical Development Sexuality in Middle Childhood ‘Sexual’ games:Curiosity and exploration
- Children take greater care of in concealing these games from adults. Occurance of sex play with the same gender as well as with the opposite gender is common.
Physical Development Sexuality in Middle Childhood Conveying Knowledge about Sexuality and Reproduction
-Many chikdren this age have a basic understanding of how babies are made however some information that they receive during this time can be incorrect and can lead to many misconceptions about sexuality and reproduction. Thus it is important that parents start the sex education of their children as early as possible to that children can obtain the correct information within the oarents value system.
